Let's Get This Party Started

It looks like the official start of the season is here. The entry form for the first meet has been posted, and when I went out to practice today the discus and shot put areas had been marked off with actual sector lines, and distance arcs. The sectors looked a little wide to me, but maybe that’s what they use in Texas middle schools. The distance arcs however, were spot-on with their indicated distances. I measured the 120’ and 140’ lines and in both cases my tape measure indicated that the distances fell within the 4” wide chalk marks. That will save me some time at practice. Of course the lines will gradually begin to fade, and if memory serves me by May I will be looking around for the few remaining flakes of chalk to indicate where the line use to be.

We had a cold snap this week with the temperatures getting down as low as 28 degrees, so practicing my throwing after work was postponed. But this week is looking good, and last week may have been the last week of cold weather I have to deal with until next year. Now if the rains will only cooperate…

My throwing today was encouraging, except for the distances. That may sound funny, but there was a very strong and gusty tailwind today. My best feeling throw of the day only went about 120’ because just as I hit the middle and began to explode into the throw a giant gust of wind came up. The discus started out really sweet, but at about 100’ it just started to drop like a rock. It was weird – Instead of turning over from left to right (since I’m a lefty) the tail dropped out from under it, and it hit almost straight up and down, tail first. I’ve never seen that before, but like I said, that throw felt really good.

On another note, I might have to rethink my goals for Hammer and Weight Throw this year. I really think I could achieve them, but I’ve come to the realization that I really dislike practicing those events. Unless I can get beyond that, I’m afraid my Hammer and Weight throwing will have to be just recreational.